It has been just over one year since we joined the University Innovation Alliance and already, we have realized tremendous value from the partnership. As a coalition of public research universities, UIA members collaborate through the sharing of data, strategies, and experiences to improve graduation rates—particularly for low-income, first-generation, and students of color. By working together, UIA members innovate more effectively, sharing successes and learning from failures.

For example, that spirit of innovation is alive and well at the U, and in particular with our shared efforts around student success. Proactive Academic Advising enhances student success by connecting students and advisors early and regularly. It provides tailored guidance based on individual needs and data analysis and aims to identify and address potential challenges before they become obstacles to a student's academic progress. The benefits include improved academic performance, higher retention rates, and more efficient progression towards graduation, ultimately leading to greater student satisfaction and success at the U and beyond. 

In the Office of Undergraduate Studies, we look forward to continuing to collaborate in this vital work of student success.

And as always, Go Utah!
Chase

Cultivating Virtue in the University

Edited by Jonathan Brant, Edward Brooks, and Michael Lamb

Voices of Student Success: Engaging Faculty in Student Success

Jody Greene

Nina Feng, coordinator of Equitable and Inclusive Pedagogy for the Martha Bradley Evans Center for Teaching Excellence has co-authored an article with Director of Curriculum and Faculty Support for the University of Utah School of Medicine, Kerri Shaffer for the Accelerate Learning Communitiy (ALC). ALC is U of U Health’s online learning community for health care professionals. It is a community-based model for innovating and promoting best practices in health care equity, improvement, leadership, and resilience. 

Read the article here. 

Utah Global welcomed our partners from Shorelight for a multi-day event on campus at the end of January. Utah Global Managing Director Everton Araujo said the visit highlighted the benefits and opportunities for international students at the U. Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Undergraduate Studies Chase Hagood welcomed the group and offered an overview of the U’s student success initiatives. Attendees showed their Utah spirit with a #FlashTheUFriday photo. Also in attendance from Shorelight, Katherine Coco - VP, Partner Operations; Brian Meagher - VP of Digital Platforms and Marketing; Kathy Sparaco - Executive Director Regional Partner Operations; and Michelle Doyle - China General Manager.

As a National Transfer Student Ambassador, Emily Hernandez Alzamora was selected as one of four students nationwide to attend the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) conference in St. Louis where she spoke as part of a student panel. She was also involved with the planning of this year’s NISTS conference where she provided a student's perspective and feedback.

Learn more about Emily's transfer experience.

This month, the UCUR Conference took place at Utah Vally University. Undergraduate students showcased their research projects and creative work to a myriad of community members. The showcases ranged from biology to performing arts, and were presented in both visual and oral formats. 

Read more about the annual conference. 

UPEP facilitated the first ever Sundance Film Festival screening at Utah State Correctional Facility. The directors and producers of two films, Daughters and Thelma, were in attendance and discussed their work with students afterward.

Read more about the event.

Henry Crandall, the 2023 Ivory House Community Leadership Award recipient, recalls his career search after completing his undergraduate degree as "daunting". To ease the stress of stepping into the real world, he partnered with the local nonprofit Biohive—a trade association serving the life sciences community in the state of Utah—to create a chapter of their organization for students at the U. 

Read more about Crandall and his story.

Annika Sagner is a senior at the University of Utah majoring in Kinesiology and minoring in both Nutrition and Disability Studies. She came to Utah 10 years ago from North Dakota. Annika is currently an intern for the Undergraduate Studies. When not attending class or working in the office, Annika serves as the head of delegation for the Special Olympics, Bennion Center.  Annika is a leader among students and serves as a peer advisor for the University’s LEAP Program. 

Throughout her time at the U, Annika has enjoyed the school's athletic events, specifically football. Academically, Kerry Magiske was a standout professor for Annika. Professor Magiske taught Annika both Exercise Programming and Kinesiology.  After graduation this spring, Annika plans to enjoy her summer guiding rafts in Colorado. Until then, she will continue to enjoy her hobbies including rollerblading, biking, camping, hiking, and climbing. 

LEAP Professor CoCo James is the recipient of the Early Career Teaching Award for 2024. LEAP Interim Director Seetha Veeraghanta expressed her admiration of Dr. James and her fellow LEAP faculty saying, “I am privileged to be part of this esteemed and elite teaching team! We are a program of innovative, distinguished teachers who keep our students in the center of everything [we do].”

Awardees are recognized for their curricular innovation and receive a one-time cash prize of $2,500. Congratulations Dr. James! 

General Education (GE) and Baccalaureate Degree (BD) requirements at the U have recently undergone a holistic review by the General Education Curriculum Committee (GECC). GE/BD curriculum constitute half of the student credit hours taken annually and the recommendations of the GECC propose a new requirement structure that benefits students by facilitating clear curricular pathways.

Read more about General Education Reimagined in @theU

Students currently enrolled or recently graduated (within the last five years) from the University of Utah are eligible to be nominated for the 2024 Ivory Community Leadership Award. Self-nominations are welcome.

The Ivory Community Leadership Award includes a $2,000 award (or $4,000 for up to two co-recipients) and $10,000 to invest in the program or efforts developed and implemented by the recipient(s). The award seeks to recognize and celebrate the impact of student involvement and leadership in our community.

Submit a nomination by Friday, March 15. 

The Utah College Advising Corps is hiring College Access Advisors for the 2024-25 school year! College Access Advisors are placed in one high school in conjunction with the counseling staff to assist high school seniors with things—including but not limited to—college applications, Utah college application events, FASFSA & Scholarship nights, and parent engagement. Apply here. 

Dr. Erin Castro is co-author of an article for the Brookings Institution on improving prison education programs. "We’ve already seen an enormous growth in both the number of incarcerated students enrolled and the institutions of higher education choosing to participate," said Dr. Castro. 

Read the article.

By spring break, ten schools and colleges, plus the Honors College, will transition their advising scheduling to Navigate U. Student usage will increase exponentially in the next few weeks as more advising appointments are booked by students. As advisors save more appointment notes in Navigate U we will be able to track advising data and gain a better picture of the student experience!

To learn more about the platform, check out the Navigate U newsletter or visit the Navigate U website.

Outreach Coordinator, Office of Undergraduate Research

KT Finney was born and raised in beautiful northern California. They went to Chico State for undergrad and UC Davis for grad school, where they focused on politics, society, and gender relations. They have been fortunate to work and travel all over the world, and their biggest passions are adventuring in the outdoors and experiencing the beauty of our cultural and natural world. KT considers themself a foodie, a lover of music, and passionate about community. They are excited to be at the U and have loved living in Utah! They are still new here, so please send any suggestions for local activities their way.

Transfer Student Success Team Member 

Josie is an Honor's psychology major from New York. Before transferring, she attended Kenyon College in Ohio. At the U, she plays on the women's ultimate frisbee team and is a member of the Crimson Transfer Honor Society. She also tutors middle and high schoolers in math, reading, and writing. Josie enjoys hiking, running, and going to the U's sports games. She is excited to be working with the Transfer Student Success team!

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